It’s not every day you get to interview a true hip-hop legend, someone who has paid their dues ten times over and always held on to their core values despite the ever-changing musical landscape. That kind of strength and character not only made Preem’s signature drums and crisp scratches great but immortal, destined to live forever in the same vein as Miles Davis, James Brown and Bob Marley.

You’ve been grinding for a long time. Why has it taken so long for you to get your shot?

I think one reason is definitely politics. Politics is everything. It’s like high school. Everyone has there little clicks and crews and they all go to the same parties and events and also so if you don’t get in with them somehow its that much harder to grind

It’s a long time coming. My last release was a couple of years ago. I’m so excited about it because we haven’t been in the stores, collectively, together, in a long time so this is a breath of fresh air to everybody. Not just for me, but for the fans too.

You recently released the As He Goes In mixtape. Are you happy with how that did?

Oh, the feedback’s been great. First off, I got lucky because the Buck 50 Kutter DJs volunteered to do it on the strength and those kids are amazing. Together, with them and with Rob Swift endorsing it the way that he has, we’ve gotten love all over the place with that mixtape.

Congratulations on coming up so fast in the game. Does it feel kind of surreal?

Man, it’s definitely been a journey and thank you for those wishes. It means a lot. It’s been a long, hard journey and we’re still on the road. We’re not even halfway there. We’re going to keep on grinding and making it bigger and bigger.